Specter switches to Democrat, ‘at odds’ with GOP

WASHINGTON — Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched parties Tuesday with a suddenness that stunned the Senate, a moderate’s defection that left Democrats one seat shy of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority with many of President Barack Obama’s key legislative priorities on the horizon.

Specter, 79 and seeking a sixth term in 2010, conceded bluntly that his chances of winning a Pennsylvania Republican primary next year were bleak in a party grown increasingly conservative. But he cast his decision as one of principle, rather than fueled by political ambition as spurned GOP leaders alleged.

“I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party,” he said at a news conference. He added, “I am not prepared to have my 29 years’ record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.”

Not long after Specter met privately with Republican senators to explain his decision, the party’s leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, said the switch posed a “threat to the country.” The issue, he said, “really relates to … whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority party to have whatever it wants, without restraint, without a check or balance.”

As a result of last fall’s elections, Democrats control the White House and have a large majority in the House. Specter’s switch leaves them with 59 Senate seats. Democrat Al Franken is ahead in a marathon recount in Minnesota. If he ultimately defeats Republican Norm Coleman, he would become the party’s 60th vote — the number needed to overcome a filibuster.

Specter, who has a lifelong record of independence, told reporters, “I will not be an automatic 60th vote.” As evidence, he pointed out he opposes legislation to make it easier for workers to form unions, a bill that is organized labor’s top priority this year.